Special Veterans Program at New Holland Lodge Proves to be Inspirational Activity for Members
Display of uniforms from several branches of the Armed Services were part of the program.
In honor of Veterans Day, New Holland Lodge #392 showed its patriotism with a tribute to all Freemasons who served in the military. During the special ceremony of “Military Tribute,” each honored veteran received a blue Forget-MeNot pin and the Maj. Jonathon Hart Service to Country Award, named in honor of a Revolutionary War officer and Ohio Mason. In the 1930s, during the reign of Hitler, the Forget-Me-Not pin was used as a secret Masonic recognition symbol for the
Germans. The Jonathon Hart Award is available from the Grand Lodge. Veterans concluded the event with a flag-folding ceremony as Lodge Master Tim Day explained the significance of each of the 12 folds. At the conclusion, Lodge member and U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Cheadle placed the folded flag on the altar as the audience gave a moment of silence in recognition of those who gave their life in service. “Taps” was then played to honor the deceased Freemasons who served in the military. Outside the lodge room, members provided displays of military memorabilia. From WWII aircraft spotter guides and MREs to field manuals and uniforms, the lodge showed its appreciation to those who served.
Brother Jim Cheadle places folded flag on altar for moment of silence.
As a reminder of the fallen soldiers, an inverted M1 rifle with dog tags, helmet, and combat boots also was on display, as well as a slideshow paying tribute to the soldiers who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom.
Royal C. Scofield, Past Grand Master, 1913-2006
Royal C. Scofield, who served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 197374, died on November 27, 2006. He was 93 years old. He was born and lived most of his life in Sebring, Ohio, in Mahoning County. For many years, he was the sales office manager for the Morgan Engineering Co. in Alliance. He was a member and Past Master of Sebring Lodge #626 and received his 60-year membership award in 2002. He had been a
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presiding office of all York Rite bodies and was a Knight of the York Grand Cross of Honour. He was a 33rd Degree Mason in Scottish Rite, and a member a numerous Masonic groups. To Most Worshipful Brother Scofield, one of the greatest needs of the Fraternity was Masonic education, and he worked tirelessly for that cause for years. He was a District Education Officer for four years, and in 1962 was appointed to the Grand Lodge Education Committee. He subsequently was chairman of that committee for many years, establishing Ohio as one of the leaders in Masonic education in the United States. He is perhaps best known by members
for grading thousands of lessons in the Series IV correspondence course, leaving memorable messages in red ink on each member’s paper. In 1995, he served as National President of the Philalethes Society, and for many years was Fraternal Correspondent for the Grand Lodge of Ohio. In his 93 years of life and more than 63 years as a Master Mason, Most Worshipful Brother Scofield excelled in the knowledge of Masonry, in leadership within the Craft, and in brotherly love to all he met. His wise counsel, forward thinking, and friendship will be missed by all who knew him.